Feed control device for writing machines



Nov. 24, 1942. c. R.. MABoN 2,302,704 FEED COTROLDVICE FOR WRITING MACHINES Filed Jue 2o. 1940 2 sheets-sneu 1 Nov. 24, 1942. c. n. MABQN FEED CONTROL DEVICE FORWRITING MACHINES Filed aum 201940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 given-fav; @a1-Z Madon,

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Patented Nov. 24, 1942 FEED CONTROL DEVICE FOR WRITING MACHINES Carl R. Mahon, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Gilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara Falls, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 20, 1940,. Serial No. 341,515

13 Claims.

and aligning strips and the like, it is especially` adapted for use in connection with writing machines, such as typewriters, billing machines, tabulators, autographic registers and the like for controlling the feed of the record strips of the long continuous traveler type, and for positioning and aligning the strips with reference to the writing platen.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved strip feeding and aligning mechanism for machines of the class mentioned that can be readily applied to existing machines, and having a novel arrangement whereby the record strips can be fed reversely with reference to the platen, as well as forwardly, and also for assisting in initially threading the strips into operative position.

A further and more particular object of the invention is to provide an improved strip feeding and controlling mechanism for machines of the class mentioned whereby a part' or reach of the strips can be engaged or disengaged at will with the strip feeding mechanism for the purpose of effecting reverse strip feed so as to assist in making alterations or corrections of the inscribed matter, and for other purposes.

A further object is to provide for machines of the class mentioned an improved arrangement of strip guiding means and control therefor, whereby the record strips can be engaged and disengaged at will with the strip feeding mechanism. y

According to another feature of improvement, the strip feeding mechanism or unit is mounted in a simplified manner whereby it can be readily installed in operative position and adjusted laterally with reference to the strip path to bring it into correct operative position with reference to the platen and other parts of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for the strip feeding unit and an improved adjusting means therefor,

whereby the unit can be adjusted with micrometric accuracy and retained in its adjusted operative position Other objects of the invention will be in. part pointed out in the following detailed description of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements,

and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment, and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal vertical section through a writing machine of the tabulator type with the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View taken approximately on the irregular line 3-3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the strip guiding mechanism. Y

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View taken approximately on the line 5--5 of Fig, 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing the structure and mounting of one of the strip guiding plates; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternative form of strip lifting and guiding means.

The present invention relates to improvements over the invention set forth in the prior Mabon Patent No. 2,171,003, dated August 29, 1939. The pin feed mechanism of the present invention is of the general nature fully set forth in the prior patent mentioned, to which reference is made for a full description of the general structure and arrangement.

As in the prior Mabon patent referred to, the

vpresent invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a writing machine of the tabulator type ernbodying a frame or casing Ill having a cylindrical rotary platen Il mounted therein with cooperating pressure rolls I2 for controlling the contact of the record strips S with the platen, and having a manual control device I3 therefor to position the pressure rolls in operative position and o release the same. Type bars i4 are mounted in carriers I5 and are operated by actuators I6 in known manner to make the inscriptions upon record strips positioned on the platen.

The strip feeding and controlling mechanism may be applied as an attachment to the writing machines, being provided with supporting brackets or plates Il that may be detachably attached to the end plates of the casing or frame I0. These supporting brackets I1 are spaced apart laterally of the writing machine and are connected together by transverse tie-rods I8 anchored at their opposite ends in the brackets I1. These supporting brackets and tie-rods form a supporting frame for the strip feeding and controlling mechanism and may be quickly and easily installed upon the writing machine or removed therefrom.

The strip feeding unit indicated' generally at `I9 is of the same general type as that disclosed in the prior Mabon patent mentioned. While there is preferably only one of these feed units positioned for feeding engagement with one of the longitudinal margins of the record strips S, two such units could, if desired, be used, one positioned at each of the longitudinal strip margins, as indicated in the prior Mabon patent.

This feeding unit I9 embodies a structuralsupporting member 20 preferably in the form of a metal bar supported upon two transverse members including a rotary drive shaft 2| and a supporting rod 22. Both the drive shaft 2| and the supporting rod 22 have bearing and supporting engagement with the supporting member 28 and are mounted at their opposite ends in the supporting brackets I1, the rod 22 being firmly anchored to the brackets whereby it forms an additional tie rod reinforcing the frame. The drive shaft 2| is rotatably mounted in appropriate bearings attached to the brackets, and may be driven as described in the said prior Mabon patent, 'or by a gear train 2|' meshing with a toothed gear II mounted on the platen shaft.

Adjacent to the extremity of the supporting member 20, nearest to the platen, there is a rotary feed member or sprocket 23 through which the drive shaft 2l extends. This sprocket 23 is constrained for rotation with the shaft 2| by means of a lug attached to the hub of the sprocket and running in a longitudinal groove 2Ia formed in the surface of the drive shaft 2|. By means of this connection the sprocket and feeding unit I9 can slide to different positions along the drive shaft, the purpose of which is later pointed out. The supporting rod 22 extends through the supporting bar 20 intermediate the ends of the latter. The feeding unit is thus supported at two longitudinally spaced points by the shaft 2| and the supporting rod 22, the rear end of the supporting bar 20 extending beyond the supporting rod 22 to form a cantilever support for the rearward rotary feed member or sprocket 24. This sprocket 24 is mounted upon a stub shaft 25 rotatably mounted in the rear end of the cantilever support.

'I'he flexible feed member or chain 26 is carried upon and driven by the sprockets 23 and 24 and carries a series ofv feed pins 21 adapted to engage feed apertures provided in series along` the longitudinal margins of the record strips S. The mounting of the feed pins below the pitch line of the feed chain 26 may be substantially as fully described in the prior Mabon patent mentioned. A strip guide plate 28 is pivotally mounted at 29 on the feed unit being provided with a longitudinal slot 38 in which the feed pins 21 run. Guiding and supporting plates 28 for the links of the feed chain are attached to the supporting' bar 20 asshown in Fig. 3. This guide plate 28 is urged by a spring 3| into guiding engagement with the margins of the record strips S to guide and to hold them in feeding engagement with the feed pins. The feeding mechanism is positioned to exert a tractive effort upon the Strips S to pull or draw them forwardly over the surface of the platen when the strips are engaged with the feed pins beneath the guide plate 28 and the feed mechanism is operated forwardly.

Strip guiding means is also provided at the under side of the feed unit I9 functioning to position and guide the strips in feeding engagement with the feed pins at the lower side of the feeding unit. This strip guiding means indicated generally at 32 cooperates with the reach of the record strips S moving in their'path toward the platen II. y

In the embodiment shown this strip guide 32 embodies a plurality of independent or separate guide plates 33 pivotally mounted at their rearward extremities upon a transverse rod 34 supported at the rear ends of supporting plates 35 attached to and supported by the transverse rods I 8. The supporting plates 35 are connected to the supporting bars I8 by means of supporting brackets 36 attached to the rods and plates whereby the supporting plates 35 and the end guide plates 33 can be adjusted along the supporting rods I8.

Clamping levers 31 are pivoted to the supporting brackets 36, having eccentric clamping surfaces 38 for clamping engagement with one of the supporting rods I8 for holding the supporting plates 35 in adjusted position. Each supporting plate 35 preferably has an outer upright stiffening flange 39 forming a guide for the adjacent guide plate 33. Each outside guide plate 33 is also preferably provided with an upright flange 40 positioned adjacent to the corresponding flange 39 and forming an edge guide for the record strips.

Each of the guide plates 33 is formed at its free n swinging end with a depending angularly disposed part 4I, that next to the lfeed unit having an elongated slot 42 for receiving the traveling feed pins. These angularly disposed guide plates 4| are utilized for guiding the record strips when the guide plates are raised, as described more fully below. The supporting plates 35 are formed with openings for receiving the angularly disposed guide plates 4I when lowered.

For moving the guide plates -33 into operative and inoperative positions, one of the shafts or rods I8 is rotatably mounted in the end brackets I1 and provided at one outside extremity with an actuating crank arm 43 having an operating handle. Each guide plate 33 is connected to the rotary shaft I8 by a lever arm 44 mounted on the shaft and connected at its free swinging end by a. link 45 to a lug or bracket attached to the underside of the corresponding guide plate. Each lever arm 44 is slidable along the shaft I8 and has aglug engaging in a longitudinal groove 4B formed in the surface of the shaft I8. The lever arms 44 are thus constrained for rotation with the shaft I8 butare slidable along the shaft into different positions. Also, the guide plates 33 are slidably adjustable along the supporting rod 34. The guide plates may thus be adjusted into different positions to accommodate record strips of different width and they can be raised and lowered in any of their adjusted positions by rotation of the shaft I8. Stop lugs 41 are preferably provided for limiting the rotation of the shaft I8 so as to stop the raising movement of the strip guides when the angularly disposed parts 4I are in their correct operative relation with reference to the pin feed unit.

The pin feed unit I9 is laterally slidably adjustable along the supporting shaft 2| and supporting rod 22 by means of the structure shown in detail in Fig. 3. An externally threaded sleeve 48 having a knurled operating head 49 is rotatably mounted upon the supporting rod 22 extending through and having threaded engagement with the internal thread of a receiving aperture of the supporting bar 2|) of the feed unit. At its reduced inner end the sleeve 48 has a collar 50 attached thereto forming an abutment for acompression spring 5| having engagement at its opposite end with the supporting bar 20. The purpose of the compression spring 5I is to hold the threads of the adjusting sleeve in close engagement with those of the supporting bar so as to prevent any slight movements or back lash and to promote accuracy in adjustment. An anchor plate 52 is secured in position to one of the supporting brackets 36 having an edge portion running in a groove 53 in the periphery of the sleeve 48.

When the adjusting sleeve 48 is rotated by means of the knurled head 49 slight lateral adjustments of the pin feed unit in either direction along its supports 2| and 22 can be effected. This adjustment not only brings the series of feed pins into position for correct engagement with the feed apertures of the record strips S,4

but aligning adjustments of the strips can be effected so as to bring the lines or record spaces thereof into exact alignment with the type bars.

whereby the inscriptions are accurately positioned in the spaces provided therefor. This alignment of the strips is effected because the upper reach is engaged in feeding relation with the feed pins while the lower reach which is advancing toward the platen is engaged at its.

edges by the strip guide. Thus skewing adjustments of the upper reach of the strips can be effected whereby exact positioning of the inscriptions on the lines or in the spaces provided therefor is accomplished throughout the entire width of the record strips.

When the strips are being forwardly fed during the normal writing operations, the guide plates 33, 4| are ordinarily lowered so that the lower reach of the record strips approaching the platen are guided by the loweredguide plates and are not engaged by the feeding mechanism. Under these conditions when the feed mechanism is driven forwardly the strips are pulled forwardly over the platenr by the feed pins that engage the strips beneath the guide plate 28. When it is desired to feed the strips reversely about the platen for making corrections or erasures or for other purposes, the crank arm 43 is swu'ng forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2, thus raising the guide plates and the angularly'disposed extensions 4| thereof so as to raise the lower parts of the strips into engagement Awith the lower part of the pin feed mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1. The pin feed mechanism is then actuated in reverse direction by rotating the platen whereupon the strips are pulled in a reverse direction over the platen by the feedvpins atl-the lower side ofthe feed unit. Accurate reverse feed of the strips can thus be effected. Also, when the guide plates are raised, as described. the pin feed mechanism can be used for initially threading the strips into operative position in they, machine.

Upon reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the feed chain 26 has both upper and lower elongated reaches between the front and rear sprockets at which the feed pins operatively engage the strips in feeding relation therewith. It will also be seen that the path of the feed chain deviates at the forward and rearward parts thereof with the respective upper and lower paths of the record strips. For this reason, the advantages of `having the strip engaging feed transmitting parts of the pins mounted below or within the pitch line of the feed chain are present at the lower reach of the chain for effecting reverse feeding of the strips over the platen in identicallythe same manner as at the upper reach of the chain to effect forward feeding of the strips. In other words, the feed pins are eased into engagement with the apertures of the strips at the lower reach of the feed chain because when said pins enter the apertures and also when they leave the same they are traveling substantially at the same speed as the strips. Consequently, there is virtually no tendency of the pins to be disaligned with the strip apertures at the time of entering or leaving the same, and there is no undue pressure of the pins against the edges or walls of the apertures that would tend to crush the aperture edges and interfere with the accurate feeding and positioning of the strips.

' This improved functioning of the feed pins in entering and leaving the strip apertures is fully set forth in connection with the .upper reach of the feed chain in the specification of the prior Mabon Patent 2,171,003, above referred to.

A modified embodiment of the mechanism for controlling the lower reach of record strips and moving them into engagement with the feed pins or from engagement therewith at the lower side of the feed unit I9 is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The general structure and arrangement in this embodiment is the same as that above described, but instead of the strip guiding plates 33, 4| of the prior embodiment, strip controlling cams or lifting elements 54 are employed, being mounted upon the rotary shaft |8a that is 'positioned similarly to the rotary shaft I8 of the prior embodiment and is similarly manually controlled. There may be two or three or more of these lifting cams, each mounted upon the rotary shaft |8a for rotation therewith but slidable `longitudinally of the shaft intol different adjusted positions and spaced apart in a manner similar to the mounting of the guide plates 33.

Each strip guiding and lifting `cam 54 has a smooth strip engaging surface 55 that may be utilized to contact in guiding relation with the strips when the cams are in lowered position and the strips lowered from feeding engagement With the feed pins. Each cam also has a smooth guiding surface 56 merging in a smooth unobstructe/d curved surface with the surface 55. The surfaces 56 are positioned at a greater distance from the center of rotation of the cams 54 than the surfaces 55. Also, the surfaces 56 of the cam 54, that is adjacent to the feed unit is elongated and shaped and positioned so as to guide and position theV strips in feeding engagement with the feed pins in a manner similar to that of the guiding extensions 4| of the plates 33. Also, the guiding surfaces 56 of all of the cams are similar and similarly positioned so as to function as strip guides to guide the strips in the raised position thereof. A groove 51 may be formed in the guide surface 56 of the cam next to the feed mechanism for receiving the feed pins when the cams are in raised position. The strip controlling cams canbe raised and lowered by rotating the shaft |8a andA the operation of this embodiment will be clear in view of the detailed description above of the prior embodiment.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not ,in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins mounted for strip feeding movement in an endless path, a strip guide for guiding and positioning a part of the strip in feeding engagement with said feed pins to effect strip feed in one direction, a strip guide for guiding and positioning another part of the strip in feeding engagement with said feed pins at a part of the pin path spaced from the first mentioned engagement to effect strip feed in another direction, one of said strip guides being movably mounted beneath said feed mechanism, and including a plurality of sections spaced laterally of the strip path and being laterally adjustable to accommodate strips of different widths. and

means for moving said movable strip guide tcf` cause strip engagement or disengagement with the feed pins, including operatingr connections to said guide sections.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins mounted for strip feeding movement in an endless path, a strip guide for guiding and positioning a part of the strip in feeding engagement with said feed pins to effect strip feed in one direction, a strip guide for guiding and positioning another part of the strip in feeding engagement with said feed pins at apart of the pin path spaced from the rst mentioned engagement to effect strip feed in another. direction, one of said strip guides being movably mounted beneath said feed mechanism and including a plurality of pivotally mounted guide plates, one of which has a strip guiding section at its free end movable with the plate into substantially parallel relation with the pin path, said pivoted guide plates being spaced laterally of the strip path and being laterally adjustable to accommodate strips of different widths. and means for moving said pivoted guide plates to cause strip engagement ork disengagement with the feed pins.

3. In a machine of the character described` in combination, a platen, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible traveling carrier and a series of feeding pins mounted thereon for movement ln an endless path and having feeding engagement with the strips to pull the same forwardly over said platen, a movably mounted strip guide to guide the strips in their path to the platen into feeding engagement with said feed pins at points longitudinally spaced from said rst mentioned engagement, said strip guide including a plurality of guide sections spaced laterally of the strip path and being laterally adjustable to accommodate strips of different widths, and means con-V nected to said guide sections for moving said strip guide to engage and disengage the strips with the feeding mechanism.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a platen, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible traveling carrier and a series of feed pins mounted thereon for movement in an endless path and having feeding engagement Cil with the strips to pull the same forwardly over said platen, a movably mounted strip guide to guide the strips in their'path to the platen into feeding engagement with said feed pins at points longitudinally spaced from said first mentioned engagement, said strip guide including a guide plate having a part forguiding the strips in different positions of the guide and anangularly disposed part for positioning the strips in feeding engagement with the feed pins, and means for moving said strip guide to engage and disengage the strips with the feeding mechanism.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin feed unit having pins for engaging and feeding strips, a supporting rod extending through said feed unit for supporting the latter for sliding movement along the rod, an adjusting sleeve rotatably mounted on said supporting rod and having threaded adjusting engagement with said feed unit, and an anchor for holding said adjusting sleeve against movement along said supporting rod.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin feed unit having a supporting member, rotary feed members spaced longitudinally of said supporting member and carrying a flexible feed member on which a continuous series of feed pins `is mounted for .feeding engagement with long continuous strips, a rotary transverse driving and supporting shaft extending through one of said rotary feed members which is constrained for rotation with the shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a transverse supporting rod spaced from said shaft and extending transversely of said supporting member intermediate said rotary feed members, said feed unit supporting member being supported on said driving shaft and said transverse supporting rod for sliding adjusting movement therealong and extending beyond said supporting rod to form a cantilever support for the other said rotary feed member, and a movably mounted strip guide positioned for engagement with the strips to engage and disengage them in feeding relation with said feed pins at points of the strips longitudinally .spaced from said first mentioned feeding engagement.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin feed unit having a supporting member, rotary feed members spaced longitudinally of said supporting member and carrying a flexible feed member on which a series of feed pins is mounted, a rotary transverse driving and supporting shaft extending through one of said rotary feed members which is constrained for rotation with the shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a transverse supporting rod spaced from said shaft and firmly anchored in stationary position on the machine and extending transversely of said supporting member intermediate said rotary feed members, said feed unit supporting member being supported on said driving shaft and said transverse supporting rod for sliding adjusting movement vtherealong and extending beyond said supporting rod to form a cantilever support for the other said rotary feed member. a rotary threaded adjusting sleeve rotatably mounted on said supporting rod and having threaded adjusting engagement with said feed unit, and anchoring means for said adjusting sleeve.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin feed unit having a supporting member, rotary feed members' spaced longitudinally of said supporting member and carrying a flexible feed member on which a series` of, feed gage in guiding relation along an elongated reach c porting rod and having threaded adjusting en-l gagement with said feed unit,v and anchoring means for said adjusting sleeve.

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a platen, strip feeding mechanism including a ilexibletravelling endless carrier supporting a longitudinal series of strip engaging feed pins for pulling the strips forwardly over said platen, a strip guide including a cam member mounted for movement ,to and from operative position and having an elongated strip guiding surface directly engaging said strip for deflecting it into feeding engagement with the feed pins at a part of said flexible carrier that is reversely movable with respect to the normal direction of movement thereof to pull the strip reversely over said platen, said elongatedstrip guiding surface being positioned to slidably engage in guiding relation along an elongated reach of the strip to position and guide the same into simultaneous feeding engagement with a plurality of feed pins along an elongated reach of said exible carrier, said cam member having an elongated runway forsaid feed pins and positioned adjacent to said elongated strip guiding surface, and operating connections for moving said cam member to cause engagement and disengagement of the strips in feeding relation with said pins.

12. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a rotary platen for supporting record strips, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins, an endless flexible carrier on which said feed pins are mounted for strip `feeding engagement and for movement in an endless path, .said carrier lhaving opposed elongated reaches respectively lying along different parts of the strip path and also having parts respectively deviating from said dierent parts of the strip path, a strip guide for guiding and positioning the strip along one of said path Vparts f, in feeding engagement with said feed pins at one of said elongated carrier reaches to effect forward strip feed on said platen, a second strip guide for guiding and positioning the strip at another of said path parts in feeding engageof the strip to position and guide the same into l simultaneous feeding engagement with a plurality of feed pins along an elongated reach of said flexible carrier, and operating connections for moving said cam member to cause engagement and disengagement of the` strips in feeding relation with said pins.

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a pin feed unit having pins for engaging and feeding strips, a supporting rod extending through said feed unitfor supporting the latter for sliding movement transversely of the path of strip feed, an adjusting sleeve rotatably mounted on said supporting rod and having threaded adjusting engagement with said feed unit, an anchor for holding said adjusting sleeve against movement along said supporting rod, and Y a resilient positioning device cooperating with said feed unit in opposition to said adjusting sleeve to maintain accurate positioning of the feed unit in its different adjusted positions.

11. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a platen, strip feeding mechanism including a flexible travelling endless carrier supporting a longitudinal series of strip engaging feed pins for pulling the strips forwardly over said platen, a strip guide including a cam member mounted for movement to and from operative position and having an elongated strip guiding surface directly engaging said strip for deecting it into feedingA engagement with the feed pins at a part of said flexible carrier that is reversely movable with respect to the normal di rection of movement thereof .to pullthe strip reversely over said platen, said elongated strip guiding surface being positioned to slidably enf ment with said feed pins at the second of said elongated carrier reaches which is reversely movable With respect to its normal direction of move- Iment to feed the strip reversely' with a pulling effort on said platen, and means for controlling said second strip guide to effect strip engagement or disengagement with the feed pins at said second elongated reach of the flexible carrier.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotary platen for supporting record strips, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins, an endless flexible carrier on which said feed' pins are mounted for strip feeding engagement and for movement in an endless Vpath; said carrier having opposed elongated reaches respectively lying along different parts of the strip path and also having parts respectively deviating from said different parts of the strip path, a strip guide for guiding and positioning the strip along one of said path parts in feeding engagement with said feed pins at one of said elongated carrier reaches to effect forward strip feed on said platen, a second strip guide having an elongated guiding surface positioned for slidingengagement with the strip for guiding and positioning the strip at another of I said path parts 'in feeding engagement with said feed pins at the second of said elongated carrier reaches which is reversely movable with respect to its normal direction of movement to feed the strip reversely with a pulling effort on said platen, driving connections between said platen and said .feeding mechanism to cause them to operate in unison; and means for controlling said second strip guide to eect strip engagement or disengagement with the feed pins at said second elongated reach of the exible carrier.

ARL n. MABoN. 

